State Of Emergency Declared Due To Wildfires, Air Quality

SALEM, OR — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in response to several wildfires burning across the state, according to a statement on the governor's website.

As of Thursday, Aug. 3, there are 12 active wildfires in the region, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, which also maintains an active wildfire map that is updated regularly.

Extreme heat and lightning strikes are widely to blame for the critical fire situation, which has spurred multiple red flag warnings, state officials said.

"As Oregon faces a near record-breaking heatwave, the threat of wildfires increases," Brown said in a statement. "I am thankful to the firefighters and crews working tirelessly throughout the state, and remind all Oregonians to be safe and follow posted fire bans. Our state agencies have a long-standing tradition of collaboration, and this declaration of emergency will ensure they have the resources needed to minimize the impact of wildfires."

The state of emergency declaration, officials explained, means the Oregon National Guard can be mobilized when needed by the Department of Forestry (ODF) and/or the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office to help fight wildfires.

Wildfires burning in Washington and Canada have also added a layer of problems in the Portland metro region — namely in the form of a smoky haze that has led to an unhealthy Air Quality Index, as determined by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Nick Yonker, smoke management program meteorologist for the ODF, said in a statement that he expects an upper-level high pressure ridge to gradually weaken Thursday and Friday, allowing for onshore northwesterly winds to push the smoke out of the Willamette Valley area and further inland.

"Stronger onshore flow Friday should provide additional relief west of the Cascades by Friday afternoon and Saturday," Yonker said. "However, the winds potentially will increase smoke levels in eastern Oregon by pushing smoke from the Whitewater Fire near Mt. Jefferson and other wildfires into that part of the state."

Photo Courtesy: Oregon Department of Forestry